adapted tricycle for disabled adult

[joolzred]

since having 3 x spinal surgeries I cannot ride a normal bike any more - was talking to my GP and he thinks an adapted tricycle might be a good substitute. Apparently they are available with a supportive type of seat, rather than saddle, and an electric motor for going up hills. I can still pedal most of the way!

Any ideas on suppliers/funding/grants?

(I get high DLA mob & med DLA care for next 2 yrs & have permanent SDA)

Thanks

[DLF Team]

I attach a pdf listing the recumbent tricycles on our database. The models I've listed have optional power units / motors.
Our factsheet on funding has general advice on possible sources of funding. London recumbents have advice on sources of funding for adapted bikes on their website although it focuses on funding for children.

Hope that helps

[stevehawe]

A couple of other useful resources include:

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/ - website that lists grants available for people with various different condiitions. If you go to Grant search and then select 'disability equipment' under help required it lists nearly 200 organisations. You can refine your search further to narrow it down a bit. You can search for other stuff too e.g. assistance with travel/mobility aids gives over 120 potential organisations you could consider contacting.

http://www.dsc.org.uk/Publications/F...gsources/@2713 - directory of charitable trusts that give grants to individuals - you could either buy it or see if your local library could get it for you?

Steve

[voteguido]

since having 3 x spinal surgeries I cannot ride a normal bike any more - was talking to my GP and he thinks an adapted tricycle might be a good substitute. Apparently they are available with a supportive type of seat, rather than saddle, and an electric motor for going up hills. I can still pedal most of the way!

Any ideas on suppliers/funding/grants?

(I get high DLA mob & med DLA care for next 2 yrs & have permanent SDA)

Thanks

Also, you might like to keep an eye on www.DisabledGear.com as a source of (cheaper) 2nd hand disability equipment. It is a relatively new site (I created it in May-09) and already items are being added daily.

Best wishes

Guy

[joolzred]

Thank you for the replies; it turns out that my local SS dept have idea on where to go, or what to do to help me with this issue (their client base is 90% elderly) so I'm going to have to go it alone to get this trike!!

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it.

[chamab]

Can you ride a hand cycle. I have one and they are great both as a means of getting round town and for more serious cycling.

[Jinny]

I have an IZip Tricruiser trike which is crank driven. I pedal it with one leg when I can and use the motor when I can't, best of both worlds. It has changed my life for the better, I don't feel as disabled now. I also have a Quickie Shark hand cycle which is perfect upper body exercise but not as good fun as the trike.

[warren]

Hi

I had a stroke 2 years ago and my trike is a life saver....it gets me everywhere, school runs, shopping etc...and it keeps you fit.

Pashley make good trikes, they do take forever if you order a new one though.....and never really tell you whats happening, but at the end you will have a great trike that will last and last.....typical english company, very set in their ways and you cant rush them but good workmanship.......However they dont do an electric version.....far to modern for them lol, but you could always have one added after and keep the battery in the basket.
There are tons of chinese trikes coming on the market although not many companies in the U.K sell them apart from one man companies! I thought of buying 10 (min order) myself it was so frustrating.

Recumbants......Have a chat with your physio first....I thought they would have been great for me as i dont have any balance but my physio pretty much banned me from having one due to the stress you put on certain areas..

Have a look at Pashleys web site, they have an area for disabilities and they can do a back rest for the seat.....even a seat belt if you need it......I started out and could barely move the first gear, now i fly along in top gear (3rd)
There are a few of us in Windsor that have trikes....now looks like a bikers convention when were all at the leisure centre together.

Have fun choosing......oh almost forget (damn stroke).....the best trike ever!!! is the agattau, a german company build it and then send it off to have a motor added......it's like a rolls royce of trikes....costs £3500 but if you can use your mobility money (I havnt found a way yet) then go for that one, it's half the weight of any trike on the market at 25KG...simply put it has the best of everything fitted!

Good luck

Warren